May 13, 2010

Smilla Dankert of anders-anziehen

Stylist Smilla Dankert has made her passion her profession by sharing her fashion finds on a blog that is unequalled: anders-anziehen portrays authentic people between the ages of eight and ninety-seven that attract attention because of their unusual style.

Follow the link below to find out what one service Smilla thinks Google's Blogspot should improve and how life choices may determine the way you dress.

UPDATE: In the meantime, Smilla has been nominated for the famous Grimme Online Award. If you'd like her to win the people's choice award, follow this link to vote for her.What's your name, how old are you, and what do you do for a living (or all day, for that matter)?

I've been blogging since summer 2009, the idea had been around for a while then. I used to take pictures of people for professional reasons, mostly without asking for permission first. Because I couldn't publish these pictures, I changed methods one day...

What's your blog called and why?

"anders-anziehen" ["dress-different"]. Because I take pictures of different people that wander the world dressed differently.

What are you blogging about? Why?

I photograph people that stand out from the crowd because of how they dress or behave. I write brief pieces about them, too, so my posts become mini-portraits. I'm always curious about what people I find interesting have to say. Like that I broaden my own social horizon, too.

My blog is not about current trends, but about particular people that catch my eye. Often, their styles are far from hip or 'zeitgeisty', but original and shaped by life choices. I like to take pictures of older people, too. My blog portraits all generations. The old and the young.

Who's your target audience?

I don't have a target audience; this means there's no intention directing my work. Whoever is interested in reading my blog, and I get the impression that people from all walks of life are doing so.

Who designed your blog? How much was that? In case you designed your own layout: Where did you learn how to?

I use a Blogspot template. I've altered it according to my needs. It's my design, but a friend helped me implement it. He also taught me the necessary HTML basics.

Which software and which host do you use? Can you recommend them?

Like I said: Blogspot. It's okay. Sometimes I wish I could add more pages more easily. You can do that with Blogspot, but not all too well.

What role play photos, MP3-files or video clips on your blog? If you use them, would you mind showing us one?

Photos are highly important, of course.

How many readers do you have? How many would you like to have? Does their number matter to you at all?

Currently I get 45.000 visits a month, what I find tremendous considering my blog's young age. The numbers go up constantly, too. That's very motivating and makes me happy.

Can you learn how to blog? Do you need to know a lot about computers? Do you have any advice for beginners?

Like with anything you do, you need to really want it. You should ask yourself WHAT you want or whether you want THAT a lot. Then it will all fall into place.

Do you use twitter, too? Why (not)? What pros and cons do you see when it comes to twitter?

Twitter is not really for me... It makes sense on the go only.

Which other female bloggers can you recommend? Why?

Blica (http://blicablica.blogspot.com/) because of their interesting choice of topics and fashion posts, it's very informative. Blica could have more output for my taste, but everyone involved has other time-consuming work to do. Charming Quark (http://www.charmingquark.de/) because of her able and likeable collection of interiors and photography.

Disclaimer

This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”). Google Analytics uses “cookies”, which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States . Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google’s behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above.